A new system update for the Nintendo 3DS has been released for the North American version of the console. Update Version 9.0.0-20U now allows users to customize the design and sounds of the handheld’s HOME Menu.

Included in the update are five pre-installed themes that you can see in the video below:

Additional themes can be purchased from the Theme shop (a special section of the Nintendo eShop :D).

To update (if you didn’t get or dismissed the notification) simply go to Settings > Other Settings > System Update.

Looks like SquareEnix is aiming to hit critical mass with the Final Fantasy XIII franchise as the game has just been made available (for pre-order) on Steam following the company’s announcement at this year’s Tokyo Game Show.

According to the announcement, all three of the game’s franchise will be available for PC sooner or later with XIII-2 and Lightning Returns releasing some time in the future. Currently Final Fantasy XIII is priced at $16 or P690.00 if you’re in the Philippines. SquareEnix is offering a special 10% discount to those who pre-order the game which will release on October 9.

Square Enix has just announced that Final Fantasy Agito is coming to PlayStation Vita as Final Fantasy Agito+.

If you’re re-reading that, yep that’s not Type-0. FF Agito, the role-playing game for mobile will be available as a free-to-play release via the Japanese PSN starting January 15, 2015.

A western release was teased back in E3 by Hajime Tabata but no updates we’re announced ever since.

At least we have a Type-0 related game but most of us still want the PSP version to be ported AND released internationally to the PlayStation Vita.

Agito serves as both a prequel and companion title to Final Fantasy Type-0. The game will be available free (with micro-transactions) on the PlayStation Store, or at retail as special packaged version for 3,800 yen.

To start off this year’s TGS, SquareEnix has released a new trailer for the highly anticipated Final Fantasy versus XIII — now named Final Fantasy XV.

Aside from being now a PlayStation 4-only release, the game will also be getting a new director as Tetsuya Nomura steps down from the project. Nomura is highly praised for his work with iconic Final Fantasy character designs and leading the Kingdom Hearts series.

For those of us who are still waiting for the eventual release of FFXV, a demo titled Episode Duscae will be included in launch copies of Final Fantasy Type-0 when it launches in early 2015. Unfortunately, no international release has been announced yet.

Popular game distribution platform Steam now has a boon for gamers in the Philippines as it now offers the ability to pay for games via our local currency. No more getting ripped off via Paypal’s absurd conversion rates

And on the upside, some titles are cheaper.

Wayyyyy cheaper.

Like this upcoming gem.

Converted, that’s like $30.

Payment will still be done via PayPal, Steam Wallet or if you have them, Globe GCash or Smart GameX. Steam now also supports eClub Points.

With a new revision of the 3DS hardware incoming, Nintendo shows that it hasn’t yet given up on it’s current 3DS XL line as the company reveals three new special 3DS bundles set for release this holiday season.

Up first is the Super Smash Bros.-themed 3DS XL handheld which will release on September 19, ahead of the October 3 launch of Super Smash Bros. for the 3DS. This will set you back $199.99 for a 3DS XL with the roster for the mash up fighting game — no game bundled here.

Next is the Persona Q 3DS XL covered with runes reminiscent of the game and it’s long franchise. Price is set at $199 and again no game bundle. Unfortunately no release date has been announced yet as Nintendo could be waiting for the November 25 release of Persona Q.

And finally we have the classing NES-controller themed 3DS XL. If this was the new console, I’d buy it in a heart beat :D. It’ll be available for $199.99 as well.

Nintendo has revealed a new hardware revision for the wildly success 3DS console, (un)intuitively named the New Nintendo 3DS. The new system has announced via the last Japanese Nintendo Direct and will be an update to both the original 3DS and the 3DS XL (3DS LL for the Japanese market).

So what’s new with the (pardon the pun) New 3DS?

There’s new shoulder buttons which will be situated next to the existing ZL and ZR buttons and a new analog nub above the A, B, X and Y buttons called the “C-stick”. Kinda like having the control scheme from the Circle Pad Pro built right in :D.

Aside from a new control scheme, the system features a better CPU than previous models, which should help with eShop browsing and downloading.

The game card slot has also moved from the top of the unit to the bottom left. The console’s SD card slot is now moved under the portable’s covering –> And yes, Nintendo seems to have gotten the idea that we want to change the skin for our consoles as the new consoles will now have sliding custom covers.

The New Nintendo 3DS is priced at 16,000 yen ($154) and the New Nintendo 3DS XL is priced at 18,800 yen ($181). They will both will release on October 11 in Japan. Unfortunately Nintendo of America has no announcement yet for the arrival of the new hardware stateside except that it will not happen in 2014. Just in time for MH4U I guess.

The popular peripheral manufacturer Hori has revealed a new accessory aimed specifically for Monster Hunter fans combining a 3DS grip with a circle pad. Players with experience from Monster Hunter games from the Playstation Portable series will be easily reminded of the claw.

The Extended Slide Pad moves the slide pad from the right hand side of the console to the top, allowing you to effectively control movement and camera with only your left hand. If you’re suddenly missing the ZL button, don’t worry, it’s just been moved underneath the grip.

As shown in the images above, the Extended Slide Pad will be available for both the Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo 3DS XL. Each one costs 2,980 yen.

Heavens! Finally, Sega seems to be warming up to non-Japanese Vocaloid fans outside Japan. A few months after the release (and subsequent success) of it’s first international title for the Hatsune Miku Project Diva franchise , Project Diva F, many had wondered if Sega will give Project Mirai the same treatment. And now we have that answer

Hatsune Miku: Project MIRAI Remix (working title), an enhanced version of the popular Japanese video game Hatsune Miku: Project MIRAI 2, will launch in the West on Nintendo 3DS in 2015!

A fan favorite franchise, Hatsune Miku: Project MIRAI Remix will mark the first release from the Project MIRAI series outside of Japan and also the first appearance of Hatsune Miku game on a Nintendo platform outside of Japan.

Hatsune Miku: Project MIRAI Remix features characters rendered in beautiful stereoscopic 3D, with two different rhythm game modes (button and touch) and three difficulties per song.

Players will enjoy a highly customizable experience with user customization options for button icons and sounds, character costumes and gear for the character rooms.

Players can create and share personalized player cards that show off who you are as well as create customized dance routines to the songs, your own musical phrase and personalized comments about their favorite in-game videos, all via StreetPass.

The game also utilizes the AR card and photo capabilities of the Nintendo 3DS to bring characters to life in 3D.

“Hatsune Miku’s popularity in the West keeps growing, and we are proud to support such an amazing franchise with our games,” said John Cheng, President and COO, SEGA of America.

An update to Sony’s policy for digital content activation has been posted via a Sony HK Press Release. As of November 18, content (games, videos, etc) bought from with a PlayStation Network account will be available for activation on upto 3 devices (from the previous limit of two devices only). While not as generous as the first iteration of the limit (which allowed PSN content to be activated on upto five devices), it’s a welcome change for those looking to get a Vita and a Vita TV to go with their PlayStation 3 (or any combination of those consoles).

In preparation for Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Steam has just launched the Autum Sale which will run today up until December 3rd.

There are flash deals which refreshes every 8 hours so be sure to check them out for titles on your wishlist. There’s boatloads of deals to be had (unless you already own them) like Skyrim for just $8.00 (and $20.39 for the Legendary Edition).

Sony has been pushing devs to provide support for the PlayStation Vita with their PlayStation 4 titles and it natural to assume that the company will start bundling both consoles. According to the image provided byVideogamer, it seems like it’s happening sooner rather than later.

As with all PlayStation-related rumors, Sony has yet to confirm if the bundle will materialize.

The price of the recently launched PlayStation 4 is currently $400, and the PlayStation Vita sells for $200 making a mid-$500 price for the bundle very likely.

If you’ve missed out on The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time Limited Edition 3DS, Nintendo is giving you a chance to jump aboard on a new super-sized Zelda themed console. This new 3DS XL takes its visual motif from The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds, which you’ll be getting to get a hold of this finely designed console.

The downside? The limited edition Zelda 3DS XL and the A Link Between Worlds bundle has only been confirmed for Europe. Damn it, Nintendo.

Despite the numerous “OH GOD WHY” reactions when Valve first unveiled their controller for the upcoming Steam OS (and the steambox iterations), I was looking forward as to how Valve will tackle a the control problem on the PC space. In a word, impressive.

Valve says the controller will be user-mappable so while it’s not a definite replacement to the mouse and keyboard, it’s impressive to see how well it can be adapted to which control scheme you’re more comfortable with (WASD + mouse or console-style, dual sticks).

One of the major advantages of subscribing to PlayStation Plus is having your console automatically download patches, content and even firmware updates at a pre-set time so it won’t interfere with your game time — who wants to pop down the couch, open your PS3 and load the game only to see that a mandatory update is required before you can even play?

The upcoming version 4.50 for the PlayStation 3 firmware will be bringing this feature to non-PlayStation Plus subscribers.

Also in the pipeline, data transfer between the PlayStation 3 and the PlayStation Vita using a network connection (WiFi and ethernet) which should alleviate the slooooooooooooow transfer via the propriety USB cable.

Full list of features available below:

Auto download of system software updates has been expanded to support all PSN users.

Auto download support of purchases made on the Web Store will be made available to all PSN users.

New options for trophy privacy settings allow users to set which trophies are visible.

Data can now be transferred from PS3 to PS Vita using wi-fi and ethernet connection.

Nintendo has pushed a new software update for the Wii U bringing a slew of new features such as being able to play Wii games on the GamePad, Dolby Pro Logic II surround output, USB keyboard support, etc.

Also in the pipeline is a similar image sharing tool that for the Japanese 3DS which will allow games to share screenshots on Facebook, Tumblr and Twitter. No word on an international release sadly :/

The official changelog for 4.0.0 U firmware is as follows:

New Features:

A feature to output video and sound to the Wii U GamePad when using Wii Mode¹

Users can choose to output to the TV and GamePad, or just the TV

A feature to automatically receive recommended software and demo titles from Nintendo using SpotPass

Support for USB keyboards

An option to disable use of a Nintendo Network ID on non-Nintendo hardware, such as PCs and smartphones

Support for Dolby® Pro Logic® II Surround Sound when playing Wii software